Jaroslav Halak announces retirement after 17 remarkable NHL seasons
A career that saw Jaroslav Halak present 20 years of elite-level goaltending across the
NHL
came to an end at age 40. His goaltending presence would float quietly on the ice in times of great pressure, with an incredible career résumé filled with clutch postseason performances.
With 295 wins, 53 shutouts, and two William Jennings Trophies to his name, Halak is considered one of the most reliable, resilient, and international goalies to ever grace both NHL arenas and international-level tournaments.
Career of Jaroslav Halak in NHL: A matter of consistency and going clutch
A march from a ninth-round selection in the 2003 NHL Draft to then being a stable presence amongst seven NHL franchises is a story that certainly brings inspiration. Over his 17 seasons, Jaroslav Halak played a total of 581 regular-season games (555 starts) and posted career averages of 2.50 goals-against and a save percentage of .915.
How he could incorporate himself into different systems, be it Montreal, St. Louis, Washington, New York (Islanders and Rangers), Boston, or Vancouver, was a testament to his mental fortitude and technical steadiness in the net.
Halak's zenith in the National Hockey League came in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs by defending the Montreal Canadiens to their second year in the Eastern Conference Final after being named an eighth seed.
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In the first round, Halak turned aside 131 of 134 shots over the last three games to enable the elimination of the heavily favored Washington Capitals. That playoff run is still one of the brightest moments in recent Canadiens history, showcasing Halak's ability to change the game when it really matters.
Timeline and trophy awards that cemented the law-changing legacy of Jaroslav Halak
Halak won the William Jennings Trophy twice, first with the Blues in 2011-12 and then with the Bruins in 2019-20, for being part of the defensive units that allowed the fewest goals in the respective seasons.
Among Europe-born NHL goalies, he is 12th all-time in games played and 14th in wins, which is a testimony to being a top-tier goaltender for a very long time, going through all phases of an ever-evolving league.
In Stanley Cup Playoff games, 39, Halak had a .919 save percentage and a 2.48 GAA, statistics that are most worthy and telling of his readiness under pressure. In between back-to-back Winter Olympic Games in 2010 and 2014, he also represented Slovakia.
He was a key player in Team Europe finishing as runners-up in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Also Read:
Nicholas Sykora signs with Owen Sound Attack to venture beyond his father's shadow
With the retirement of Jaroslav Halak, one more era of glorified goaltending comes to an end. Though never very flashy, the never-faltering presence of this goaltender had commanded respect from his teammates, opponents, and fans. After hanging up his pads, Halak will be remembered for quiet brilliance and steely resolve, as well as being his nation's pride in hockey.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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